Around 5000 chickens were brought by poultry farm owners in Shahjahanpur. Out of these 1,500 died under mysterious circumstances.

"I had bought 1500 chicken for Rs 15,000. A veterinarian said that the chicks are infected," said Chote Singh Yadav, a poultry farm owner.

The authorities have engaged people to cull the birds and stop any further smuggling of infected birds.

"Medicines and disinfectants have also been sprayed and sprinkled," said Gudu, a worker appointed by the administration to bury the chickens.

In the wake of bird flu outbreak, the authorities in West Bengal have ordered culling of chickens to contain the spread of the disease. Due to this small farmers are incurring huge losses, despite the compensation being provided to them.

Many claim that the compensation given to them is not adequate.

The 5000-crore organised poultry industry in West Bengal has been badly-hit. Since January 15, when the epidemic was officially declared, chicken sales and exports have dipped to an all-time low.